Dan's Papers - June 15, 2007 - Sag Harbor At 300

Sag Harbor is about to celebrate a remarkable milestone this year, its 300th anniversary. And this is a community that has much to celebrate.

It was the very first federal port of entry in the new United States of America and its bustling port once boasted more ship tonnage than New York harbor. It had one of the most dynamic whaling fleets on the eastern seaboard and its seamen were among the first to explore the arctic and were the first westerners to venture into the Sea of Japan.

Its celebrated inhabitants include some of the greatest men and women of American letters: James Fenimore Cooper, John Steinbeck, Betty Friedan and Thomas Harris among them. And its men and women have dutifully served in every American conflict from the Revolution to the war in Iraq: raiding British war ships in Gardiner's Bay, and fighting in the fields, hills and streets of Gettysburg, Normandy and Baghdad.

Several of its houses of worship are among the first of their faith on all of Long Island, and it was home to the very first newspaper published east of Brooklyn.

It boasts one of the oldest volunteer fire departments in the country, helped land the first man on the moon, embraced a multi-ethnic community long before it was fashionable, welcomed presidents and bootleggers, and even lays claim to being the home of the "Father of Baseball."

This year Sag Harbor has planned a months-long series of events celebrating Sag Harbor's rich past and, equally important, striving to teach visitors and residents alike about the unique history of a community that paralleled the growth of the young and maturing American nation. The events will explore the Native American settlement Wegwagonock, which was here when the first European settlers arrived, note Sag Harbor's establishment as the first official port of entry, recognize its literature and culture and celebrate with a parade, parties, exhibits and contests that evoke the community's maritime history.

Anchoring the celebration is a season-long exhibition at Sag Harbor's Whaling and Historic Museum of "Keeping Time in Sag Harbor," a collection of photographs that illustrate the dramatic changes which have occurred in the village. A book by the same name by the author and photographer Stephen Longmire will be the subject of an author's day in October.

During the year will be concerts covering a broad range of music that may have been heard in Sag Harbor: native American, jazz, sea chanties and folk, among others, plus exhibits interpreting Sag Harbor at work and play (including a baseball game played by 19th Century rules.)

In September the village's annual HarborFest takes on greater importance as the principal anniversary celebration. The weekend of September 14-16 will be full of activities including a 300th Anniversary Parade, whaleboat races, the Sag Harbor Charity Cup Challenge 12-Meter Yacht Races, a showing of the film "Amistad", a clam shucking contest, an old fashioned clambake, a gala beach party, the first Sag Harbor Art Festival, the Taste of Sag Harbor Food Fair, a farmers market, concerts, theatre and much more.

In October, Pierson High School celebrates its centennial, paired up with the school's annual Homecoming festivities. Along with it will be a number of events honoring the school's - and the village's - great benefactress, Mrs. Russell Sage, who was responsible for funding many Sag Harbor institutions including Pierson, the John Jermain Memorial Library and Mashashimuet Park.

Linking all of the year's activities together will be a series of themed walking tours that help interpret Sag Harbor's history through the centuries, illustrating how the village developed from a Native American settlement to a bustling port town, and an industrial hub to a resort. It is these tours that highlight the industry that has driven the changes in an evolving community.

Visit www.sagharboronline.com for a complete schedule of the events. If you have any questions about any of the activities, please feel free to contact any of the committee chairpersons: Bryan Boyhan (631) 725-1700, Benito Vila (631) 725-5029, Lynette Pintauro (631) 725-0770.